What is the starting salary for Occupational Therapy graduates in Springfield?

The estimated starting salary for Occupational Therapy graduates in Springfield, MO is $40,000 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 80. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Springfield are 20% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Occupational Therapy degree worth it in Springfield?

A Occupational Therapy degree in Springfield has an estimated ROI payback period of 7.2 years, with a projected lifetime return of $353,628 after subtracting education costs. With 5 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $8,210/year, Springfield offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 3.2% and the major's national unemployment rate of 1.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Occupational Therapy in Springfield?

The average annual public university tuition in Springfield is $8,210, while private universities average $33,330/year. Including room and board ($13,383/year), total 4-year costs range from $86,372 at a public school to $186,852 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Springfield is $13,942/year.

What jobs can Occupational Therapy graduates get in Springfield?

Occupational Therapy graduates in Springfield can pursue careers as Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapist, Pediatric OT. Key skills valued by local employers include Patient Assessment, Treatment Planning, Adaptive Equipment, Rehabilitation. The Springfield job market features Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Hospitals, Rehab Centers, Schools.

How long to pay off student loans for Occupational Therapy in Springfield?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Occupational Therapy graduates in Springfield would pay $981/month on an estimated $86,372 in loans, with $31,316 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,690/month but save $16,290 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $40,000, monthly payments would represent 29% of gross monthly income.

Occupational Therapy Degree in Springfield, MO — Salary & ROI 2026

Occupational Therapy degree analysis for Springfield, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$40K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$62K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.2 yrs

in Springfield

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Occupational Therapy in Springfield, MO Overview

While Springfield has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Occupational Therapy students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $13,383/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Occupational Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Springfield is approximately $40,000, growing to $62,400 by mid-career.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$40,000($-10,000 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$62,400($-15,600 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$72,000($-18,000 vs national)

Note: National average Occupational Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.

Occupational Therapy ROI Calculator for Springfield

Estimate your return on investment for a Occupational Therapy degree using local Springfield tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $8,210 | Private avg: $33,330

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Springfield avg aid: $13,942/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$86,372

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,000

vs HS diploma in Springfield

ROI Payback Period

7.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Springfield

$353,628

Lifetime earnings premium ($440,000) minus total education cost ($86,372)

Student Loan Payoff for Occupational Therapy in Springfield

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,372

Monthly Payment$981

Total Interest$31,316

% of Monthly Income29%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,372

Monthly Payment$1,690

Total Interest$15,026

Interest Savings$16,290

Colleges in Springfield for Occupational Therapy

Missouri State University

public

$8,210/yr

$32,840 total

Drury University

private

$33,330/yr

$133,320 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Ozarks Technical Community College

$3,900/yr

Top Employers for Occupational Therapy in Springfield

Springfield offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Occupational Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HospitalsRehab CentersSchoolsHome Health AgenciesNursing Homes

Key Springfield Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Occupational Therapy Job Titles

Occupational TherapistHand TherapistPediatric OT

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO

$47K starting · COL 94

44 colleges

St. Louis, MO

$49K starting · COL 97

23 colleges

Columbia, MO

$42K starting · COL 84

10 colleges

Independence, MO

$43K starting · COL 85.8

5 colleges

Lee's Summit, MO

$48K starting · COL 95.5

4 colleges

OFallon, MO

$44K starting · COL 87.3

4 colleges

St. Joseph, MO

$45K starting · COL 90.4

3 colleges

St. Charles, MO

$42K starting · COL 83.4

3 colleges

Other Healthcare Majors in Springfield

Pharmacy

$40K starting · 3.5 yr ROI

Health Informatics

$40K starting · 3.8 yr ROI

Nursing

$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI

Healthcare Administration

$40K starting · 4 yr ROI

Dental Hygiene

$40K starting · 3 yr ROI

Speech-Language Pathology

$40K starting · 4.2 yr ROI

Public Health

$40K starting · 5.2 yr ROI

Radiologic Technology

$40K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Occupational Therapy degree outcomes in Springfield, MO: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Occupational Therapy programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Missouri.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Springfield using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Occupational Therapy graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Occupational Therapy career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Occupational Therapy grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Springfield Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Missouri students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Missouri)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Missouri programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "missouri higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Occupational Therapy Degree in Springfield — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Occupational Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Springfield.

Occupational Therapy Overview Colleges in Springfield All Majors